A porter carries a generator towards Everest Base Camp from Gorak Shep with the Himalayan mountain range seen in the background, May 03, 2011. Porters walk for weeks, sometimes carrying supplies heavier than their own body weight. They do not sit down whe
A porter carries a generator towards Everest Base Camp from Gorak Shep with the Himalayan mountain range seen in the background, May 03, 2011. Porters walk for weeks, sometimes carrying supplies heavier than their own body weight. They do not sit down when they rest but rely on the wooden staff to prop up the baskets. Picture taken May 03, 2011. REUTERS/Laurence Tan REUTERS/Laurence Tan

At least 20 people have tragically died after a series of deadly blizzards and avalanches struck the northern mountainous regions of Nepal's Himalayas. Among them were four Canadians. Rescue officials said more than 100 still remain missing, which could mean the initial death toll could rise in the coming days.

Five bodies from the Phu area in Manang have been recovered, according to the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal last Wednesday. They were identified as four Canadians and one Indian. Two companies, Panorama Himalaya and Nepal Hidden Treks, in separate incidents, confirmed the deaths of the Canadians.

Devendra Lamichhane, the most senior bureaucrat in the district of Manang, said their bodies were spotted in the snow by the pilot of a rescue helicopter. However, he said they might not be able to retrieve their bodies yet because snow still continues to fall heavily in the affected area. Panorama Himalaya said three other Canadians part of its tour group have been rescued.

The identities of the fatalities were revealed as a 33-year-old woman from Quebec City and two women from Montreal, aged 55 and 59. The identity of the fourth Canadian victim as well as home province has yet to be known.

Canada's Foreign Affairs department chose not to confirm yet the Canadian deaths "to protect the privacy of affected individuals." It said in a statement that it was aware that Canadians were affected and is in contact with local authorities in Nepal. "Our thoughts are with those affected by the avalanche in Nepal... we cannot release further details at this time."

A report by ABC News said the tail end of Cyclone Hudhud triggered the severe weather. Rescue officials chose to remain hopeful even as they find it hard to contact dozens of other foreigners and locals who had been trekking because of poor communication links.

"The phone network is not very good so we have not been able to get in touch with the missing, but we hope to find them later today," Baburam Bhandari, Mustang governor, said. He added at least 14 have been rescued, including five German, five Polish and four Israeli trekkers. They were rescued after the weather had cleared high on the slopes.